GTX 460m or equivalent in M14x speculation

Some people say that the M14x cannot fit the GTX 460m, I highly doubt that. There is some evidence that the GTX 460m might be updated into the M14x.

First off, when you are configureing a M14x under "video" if you click "help me choose" at the top in blue it will pop up a window that will talk about the Nvidia GPU in the M14x. Then scroll to the right hand side of that page to the "compare" part and it lists the 555m 1.5-3.0gb & GTX 460m 1.5-3.0gb. Also realize that Dell does not throw in random GPU's to compare to in this "help me choose" section in any other laptops you can build with them (only model supported GPU's). See the xps 17" for reference. It has the 555m as well.
Dell - Help Me Choose: NVIDIA Graphics

Second there have been a few people that have talked to reps that have told them that another GPU option was coming for the M14x soon.

Please use this thread in a mature fashion. Yes the M14x will most likely not have a GPU update until R2, but it seems that it is in fact possible.

 

Speculation already? YES!

m13x w/485m and 2920xm ftw. No optical drive for cooling. And subwoofer pl0x? JK JK

The simplest way would be for someone to test it. Shouldn't be too difficult, the 460m is a very popular GPU due to the asus g-series and the m17x r3, plus clevo/sager offerings. I see it working though, the 460m isn't that different from the 555, not enough to warrant a new heatsink or anything.

 

M14x and smaller models are not meant for *extreme* gaming... M15x and larger ones are.

Once you understand this we can discuss.

 

Two issues:

1) The website for "help me choose" isn't very reliable - they often have bugs on things. I remember one linked to Core 2 Duos when the Core i7's were out

2) Reps don't know much about technical specs of upcoming things

Besides, the service manual only points to the GT555M 1.5 and 3.0GB configs

 

Yeah but those were written awhile ago. Take a look at what happened to the M15x. They released a new GPU option shortly after alot of people bout the new laptop.

 

I don't understand your attitude. If I want the power to hook my m14x up to a nice monitor and use it in lieu of a desktop then a 460m would be quite desirable. Also, with optimus, I can still have portability if alienware would just put together such a configuration.

 

Remember. m14x GPU is soldered on the main board. You cannot change it...
Maybe doing a reballing with a Nvidia 460 GPU Chip, and changing other chips that is almost imposible...

 

I highly doubt that anyone will be able to add a GTX 460 themselves. I created this thread referring to Dell adding the GTX 460 as an option. I am not saying it's impossible to do it yourself but it would be nearly impossible IMO.

 

it is going to be for the R2 and that will be in fall. how did i know this?

They released the m11x Feb last year. (available for order starting january)
Lo and Behold after 4 months? the R2 came out. I speculate that it's seasonal.

 

argh. then you believe that we will be waiting a while.

 

I think that could be very possible, but they didn't update the GPU in the M11x with the R2. I thought that they made the R2 because customers were complaining about the slow CPU in the R1 so they made the R2 with the i7 option. Some say that they were going to wait until fall to release the M11x with the i7 but they rushed it.

 

yes. sadly. unless they release it tomorrow. haha. but that's not possible because the GALLERY PHOTOS are not UPDATED YET!

 

Yeah it's still an internal upgrade. I don't think it was a "complain" issue. I think the i7 ulv for the m11x was revealed at CES, the same time they had the m11x on display.

now back to speculating...
If they put the GTX 460 for $200, i'd bite.

 

if they update it tomorrow, how many people are going to cancel their orders do you think?

 

lol bad for business. I guess they're gonna want those home-made unboxing videos first, and those game performance videos, and some home-brew reviews.

then they'll launch the R2.

 

No R2 until next year probably. GPU extra options added seem likely before 2012 though. Mabye within a week as some rumors state.

 

yea, thats my point...if they offer it next week, wont a lot of people say "hey dell upgrade me!!!"

 

they'd have a 15% restocking fee if they entered the build phase already.

 

No they don't. If they try and force it on you, tell them to read the fine print, you have 21 days AFTER the system arrives to return it for a full refund. Even after, if you get the right rep or agree to return it for a new purchase.

If it did come out next week, you would have to completely cancel your current order to put in for the new gpu. Which would be reflected in your EDD. However, there would be NO restocking fee.

 

460m is weaker than 5850m
Significantly weaker than 6970m and 485m

I guess we shall continue ?

 

Thank you for your inquiry.

To cancel your order, the first thing to do is to make sure that the system was was shipped from Alienware no longer than 30 days ago. This is the time limit Alienware allows for a return to be requested.

If you have not received your system, contact our Sales Department. A Sales agent will determine the order's status. If your system has not yet shipped from the factory, the agent will be able to assist you with the order's cancellation. If your system has already been shipped, we will need to handle the cancellation as if it has already been received.

In the case that you have already received the system and it is within the initial 30-day period, contact our Customer Service Departmentand one of our agents will create a Cancellation RMA. All cancellations are subject to a 15% restocking fee which will be deducted from the original price paid for the order. To refer to the Alienware Americas Warranty, click here.

When a cancellation is processed, you are responsible for picking up the shipping fees to send the part back to Alienware within 30 days after the cancellation order has been generated. If this 30-day timeframe has expired, you may contact our Customer Service department to place a new cancellation order. Once the part is received, it will take 7-9 business days for the funds to be credited back to your account.

Click here to learn about Alienware EMEA's return policy.

Click here to learn about Alienware EMEA's Warranty instructions.

 

you may be right though that deals with a rep would alleviate the optional charge.

 

I think this all depends upon a reliable and updated replacement for the 555... Public opinion or perception of the current model... Of course planning and testing.... Lots involved so who knows. I dont want to guess on this as it may be only 2 months and BAM, new video card.

StevenX

 

These are the most important questions and angles.

#1 - Replacements? Nvidia has nothing in the queue, outside of 560M/570M/580M. Next in line, is 28nm GPUs, in Q1 2012.

#2 - Public Perception? You can't launch with a 555M, then come back and try to charge more for a 460M later. No company does that.

I just don't see it as logical business. But I'll never say never.

 

@ flybass, Those cancellations are referring to if you got your system and after 21 days wish to return it. Unless you have personal experience otherwise, I believe that is so. I canceled by order on 4/15, and there was no cancellation fee or "money-back" to try and hold me. The order was just cancelled. And when I decided to replace my order, there still was no cancellation fee mentioned.

 

@KillerBunny: I read elsewhere that the phase of your order affects whether they will charge you the fee. If what you are saying about 21 days is true, then why would AW not advertise it at all when you do a search on their website?

 

I found the Dell policy which brings up the 21 days:

21-Day Return Period for Certain Hardware and Software Products and Accessories: Unless you have a separate agreement with Dell, or except as provided below, all hardware, accessories, peripherals, parts, and media-based software (provided that the software is unopened and still in its sealed package or, if delivered electronically, software that you have not accepted by clicking "I agree to these Terms and Conditions" button), may be returned within 21 days from the date on the packing slip or invoice for a credit or a refund of the purchase price paid, less shipping and handling and any applicable restocking fees (as further described below). Any product returned to Dell without prior authorization from Dell will be considered an unauthorized return, and the customer will not receive credit for the product and Dell will not ship the product back to you.
Exceptions to Dell's 21-Day Return Period:

New PowerEdge, PowerConnect, and PowerVault products purchased directly from Dell may be returned within 30 days from the date on the packing slip or invoice.
New Vostro, OptiPlex, Latitude, and Dell Precision systems purchased directly from divisions designated by Dell as Commercial or Public may be returned within 30 days from the date on the packing slip or invoice.
Application software and operating systems that have been installed by Dell may be returned only if installed on a returnable system, and only if you return that system within the applicable return period.
Dell EqualLogic and EqualLogic -branded products, Dell|EMC and EMC -branded products, Dell Compellent and Compellent -branded hardware and software products, Dell KACE and KACE -branded hardware and software products, PowerVault ML6000 tape libraries, non-Dell-branded enterprise products, enterprise software, and customized hardware or software products may not be returned at any time.
Software licenses purchased under any type of volume license agreement may be returned only with the express approval of the publisher, which in many circumstances will not be granted.

Restocking Fees: Unless the product is defective or the return is a direct result of a Dell error, Dell may charge a restocking fee of up to 15% of the purchase price paid, plus any applicable sales tax.

 

Dell won't put in more powerful cards for 2 reasons.

1. It does not fit their marketing plan. M11x = portability, m17x = extreme gaming. m14x = middle of the pack. Technically, dell can do whatever they want. Financially, it would be unsound to put a 6970 in the m14x.

2. I do not know this for certain, but my hunch is that the m14x 555m GPU is a motherboard-integrated unit, much like the 335m in the m11x. Thus the end user shall not be able to replace it, and nor will Dell, with the exception of completely changing the motherboard, something they will not do unless we are talkinag about the m14x-R2 already.

#1 is mostly the limiting factor here, though.

 

Which is exactly why Dell dropped the M15x, because it blurred the line within their predefined hierarchy.

They must've realized, that offering similar GPUs in similarly sized machines, meant that the 15x and 17x were cannibalizing each others sales.

The M14x and M17x R3 are the combined solution. Now you have two machines, which each fill their own niche, and won't come close to stepping on each others toes.

And yes, the 555M is soldered.

 

ok, we don't know when will alienware have an m14x gpu upgrade. If it's stable then i'm thinking, won't be another year. And it's definitely not a 6970.

yes, it is an integrated chip. that's how they utilize optimus. and if they have it integrated then they would have a different design for cooling.

 

The only problem with this statement is that the GTX 460m in the M14x as a upgrade option from the 555m would not in fact compete with the M17x's 6970m. Second, the M17x is no longer the "extreme gaming machine" that is the M18x's job now.

 

We didn't see a GPU upgrade in the m11x till r3. This was when a whole new line was already out. Im guessing we wont see a GPU upgrade (not necessarily a r2, but just gpu) until maybe the NVIDIA 600 or 700 series. At least imo.

 

Just return your m14x and wait for m14x r3 with haswell and Geforce 7 series M card in the near future for ultimate future proofing.

 

If there is a GPU upgrade, it won't be for a while yet as the BIOS does not contain any other VBIOS other then for the GT555 by looking at the shader clocks (1180mhz only).

 

I can nip this in the bud.

GTX460M does not support optimus.

 

^
This
Nor does any other higher card as to add on

 

both of the above comments aren't true.

 

you can view that it supports optimus on the nvidia specs site. We all don't want our notebooks to be quickly outdated. Please don't fabricate fact.

 

hay. I made a mistake. I thought I saw it wasn't optimus on nvidia.com. My bad, don't have to make it sound like we were purposely trying to mislead you.

 

Sick burn!

...I believe this model will be the first mass use of the 555, correct? Or am I wrong?! Heaven forbid I'm wrong on an internet forum! The shock! The awe! The horror!

They'll probably see how well it does in general use, and go from there...Dell is a company after all, money is their first, middle, and last names.

Garden gnome, out.

 

Ah wait I was thinking of 120hz.

Still moving to a faster frequency chip, more shaders and GDDR5 is going to add a LOT of heat.

Now the M14X is already heavy as it is. It would be a bit ridiculous if it was heavier that some high performance 15" models.